Split-switch structure



Au 11, 1 31'. @A. ENS-TRON 1,818 85 SPLIT SWITCH STRUCTURE Filed May 31, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizveizz of' Y as ZZYZSZWWII 1931; A. ENSTROM 1,818,335

SPL'IT SWITCH STRUCTURE Filed May 31. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Z P Patented Aug. 11, 1931 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUGUST ENSTROM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PET'IIBONE MULLIKEN COM- PANYQ OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA TION OF DELAWARE SPLIT-SWITCH STRUCTURE Application filed May 31, 1930.

My invention relates more particularly to split-switch structures. comprising pointrails each mounted at one end for swinging movement into and out of switching position and restrained against lengthwise dis placement by bolts, or the like, extending therethrough crosswise of the point-rails and the rails adjacent to the latter. Certain of my objects are to eliminate the necessity for use of the thimbles commonly used in structures of this character, thereby reducing the number of parts required for the switch assembly, eliminating the hazard of losing the thimbles by the sliding thereof into the holes provided in the heel fillers when used, and avoiding impairment of the switch structure by breakage of the thimbles which often occurs; to provide a stronger and more durable switch structure of the character above stated and the parts of which may be assembled with greater facility; to provide a pivoting structure for the point-rail which will be less liable to become impaired in use and thus render the switchv structure more safe; to provide a structure insuring a tight joint adjacent the heel portion of the .pointswitch; to provide a structure requiring the minimum servicing in use; to provide for the elimination of the counter-boring of the angle bars of the switch structure usually required in structures of this general character as hitherto provided; and other objects as will be manifest from the followa ing description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a railway track cgr struction provided with a split-switch structure constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the switch structure of Fig. 1, with the portion of the structure at the pivot for the point rail shown in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken at the line 3 on Figs. 1 and 2 and viewed in the directions of the respective arrows.

Figure 4 is a broken plan view, partly sectional, "of a modification of the'structure Serial No. 458,625.

shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and embodying my invention.

Figure 5 is a view like Fig. 2 of another ing my inventiony'and V Figure 6, an enlarged section taken at the line 6 on Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Referring to the track construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 10 indicates one of the rails of a main track theother portion thereof comprising a rail 11, a point-rail 12 of my improved switch structure and a rail 13, the rail 11 continuing from the point-rail rail 14 and forms the other rail of therswitchtrack.

In constructions of this general charac ter the point-rails are pivoted at their heel portions to adapt them to be swung into and out of switching position, the means shown for permitting the point-rails tobe modified form of switch structure embodyswung for the purpose stated and preventing lengthwise movement of these rails and constituting anembodiment of my invention being as follows:

Interposed between the rail 10. and the adjacent ends of therails 15 and .18 is'a filler-block 19 and extending across the joint between the rails 15. and 18, at the inner side of the track, is an angle bar 20 and at the outer side of the rail 10, a plate (not shown) fitting against its web. A 5;

similar filler block 21 is located between the rail 14 and the adjacent ends of the rails 12 and 13, with an angle bar 22 eX- tending across the joint between the rails 12 and 13, at the inner side of the track and 4 spring washer a plate 14 at the outer side of the rail 14 and..,,fitting against its web.

AQfthe construction of means for permitting the'swinging of the point-rails 12 and 15 and preventing lengthwise movement thereof is the same as to both point-rails, the means at the point'rail 12 only will be described in detail.

Referring to these means for thepointrail 12,.thefiller block 21, rails 13fland14, angle bar 22 and plate 14 arerigidly secured togetherby a series of'bolts 23 extending through these parts -and the filler block 21, rail 14 and plate 14 are also clamped together by a bolt represented at 24 and hereinafter described, the left-hand .end of the bar 22 being deflected inwardly as represented at 25 to providebetween it and the filler block 21 a recess 26 into which the heel of the-point-ra-il 12 extends this recess being of such widththat the pointrail isfree to swing in a horizontal plane, the bolt 24 alsoextending through the de flected end 25 of the bar 22.

A fourth, plain, bolt 23 is shown as extending throughthe angle bar 22, filler block 21, rail 14, plate 14, and loosely through an opening in; the heel of thepoint-rail 12, this bolt exerting a clamping action between the deflected end25 ofthe angle bar 22, and the plate 14 ,-without clam-ping the pointrail 12. The bolt 24is shown as of the type whichis threaded atits opposite ends as represented at- 27 and 28 with nuts 29 and 30, respectively, screwed thereon, the

bolt 24 presenting a pair of shoulders 31 and 32 rigid therewith between its threaded rtions. The threaded portion 28'ofthe olt extends through the deflected end- 25 of the bar 22, which latter is clamped between the shoulder 32 andthe nut 30, a 34 being confined between. the nut 30 and the bar- The portion of the bolt between the shoulders 31 and 32 extends loosely through an opening in the web of the heel portion. of-the pointrail 12; and the end of the bolt 24 beyond the shoulder 31 extends through the filler block '21, rail 14, and plate 14. The

V shoulder 31 abuts the inner side of the filler together, the spring washer 36 becoming tensioned and the deflected portion 25 of the bar 2 2.slightly sprung to the left in Fig. 3. The bolt 24 may, be of any suitable form to provide the shoulders 31 and 32. Preferably these shoulders are formed by providing the bolt with the portion of greater cross sectional .area represented at 37 andwhich, as shown, may be andpreferably is, of circular shape in cross section, at which portion larged part adjacent thereto and presenting -a shoulder. This bolt, in Fig.4, is shown as substituted for the bolt 24 in the switch assembly of Figs. 2 and ,3, to the corresponding parts of which in 4thesa1ne numerals are applied. The bolt of Fig. 4 and shown at, 38 has a head 39 integral therewith at one end and is threaded at its opposite end asrepresented at 40 to receive a nut 41. The bolt is formed to provide thereon a rigid shoulder 42 corresponding with the shoulder 31 of the bolt '24 of-Figs. 2 and 3;and bearing against a side of the filler block 21, the head 39 of the bolt bearing against the outer face of the deflected providing the bolt with a portion 44 of enlarged cross-sectional area, preferably cylindrical, at which the bolt extends through the opening 1n the heel-portion of the point rail 12.

In some constructions of split-switches fillerblo cks positioned asshown and describedwith respect to the filler blocks 19 and 21 are omitted and the bolts extending through the heel portions of the point-rails are mounted in bars located at opposite sides of the rails which oppose the heel portions in-end-to-end relation and as illustrating an embodiment of my lnvention in a switch structure of this particular construction -1616I'e11CG1S made to Flgs. 5 and 6 of the drawings which represent the portion, of a ,railway track corresponding with that disclosed in the upper part of Fig. 1. In this constriuction the main rail corresponding with the main rail 10 of Fig. 1, is represented at 45 and the point-rail and switch raileorresponding with the rails 15 and 18 ;l11:F1g,1,;-1l6 represented at 46 and 47, ,respectwely.

In this construction the; oint between the rails 46 and 47 is spanned by angle bars 48 ancl.49, the end of thebar 49 which extends along the rai l.46 being bent to incline away from th s, rall at; the portion. thereof represented at 50, the bars 48 and 49 being rigidly clamped against the opposite sides of the rail 47 by.bolts represented. at 51.

The ends of the bars48 and 49. projecting beyond the adgacent end of the rail 47 form a recess 52 nto which the heel portion of the point-rail 46 extends, this recess being of such width as to permit the point-rail 46 to swing horizontally therein.

Extending through the projecting ends of the bars 48 and 49 and loosely through an opening 53 in the hollow portion of the point rail 46, is a bolt 54 of the same general form as the bolt 24 and having a shoulder 55 between which and a nut 56 screwed on the threaded end 57 of this bolt, the bar 48 is clamped, with a spring washer 58 interposed between the nut 56 and a bar 48. The bolt 54 is also threaded at its opposite end as represented at 59 to receive a nut 60 and is provided adjacent thereto with a second shoulder 61, the bolt 54 extending at its threaded end 59, through the bar 49 which latter is clamped between the shoulder 61. and the nut 60, with a spring washer 62 interposed between the bar 41 and the nut 60,

the deflected portion 50 of the bar 49 being slightly sprung toward the point rail 46 upon tightening the nut 60. v

The bolt 54 may be of any suitable form to provide the shoulders 55 and 61, in the construction shown these shoulders being provided by forming the bolt with the portion of greater cross sectional area represented at 63 and which, as shown, may be circular in cross section, at which portion the bolt 54 extends through the opening 53 in the point rail 46.

A fourth, plain, bolt 64 is shown as extending through the bars 48' and 49 and J loosely through the heel portion of the point rail 46 for stiffening the construction, but without clamping the point rail 46.

It will be understood that, if desired, a bolt of the type shown in Fig. 4 may be used in the construction of Figs. 5 and 6 instead of the bolt therein shown.

By constructing a switch structure in accordance with my invention the use of thimbles is avoided with their attendant disadvantages and without increasing the cost of the construction.

lVhile I have illustrated and described certain embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be'understood as intending to limit my invention thereto asthe invention may be embodied in other forms of structure and those shown may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention.

hat I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is: p

. 1. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a reces, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through said spacedapart portions and loosely through said heel-portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spaced-apart portions, said nut being lo@ cated at the opposite side of said last-referred-to portion and when tightened drawing said shoulder into engagement with said last-referred-t0 portion. I

2. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through said spacedapart portions and loosely through said heel-portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spaced-apart portions, said nut being located at the opposite side of said last-referredto portion and when tightened drawing said shoulder into engagement with said last-refererd-to portion, said bolt at its opposite end engaging the other of said spaced-apart portions.

3. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having nuts at its opposite ends and extending through said spaced-apart portions and loosely through said heel-portion, said bolt having fixed oppositely facing shoulders between said nuts and located at the inner sides of said spacedapart portions, said nuts being located at the outer sides of said spaced-apart portions and when tightened drawing said shoulders into engagementwith said last-referred-to portions.

4. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a' recess, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through said spacedapart portions and loosely. through said heel-portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spaced-apart portions, said nut being located at the opposite side of said last-re ferred-to portion and when tightened drawing said shoulder into engagement with said last-referred-to portion, said bolt at its op-' posite end engaging the other of said spaced apart portions and in the adjusting of said nut to set position springingone of said spaced-apart portions toward the other thereof.

p 5. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spacedapart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having nuts at its opposite ends and extending through said spaced-apart portions and loosely through said heel-portion, said bolt having fixed oppositely facing shoulders between said nuts and located at the inner sides of said spacedapart portions, said nuts being located at the outer sides of said spaced-apart portions andwhen tightened drawing said shoulders into engagement with said last-referred-to portionsiand springing one ,of said spacedapart portions toward the other thereof.

6. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swing-V able therein, a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through said spaced-apart portions and loosely through said heelportion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spacedapart portions, said nut being located at the opposite side of said last-referred-to por tion, and a spring washer on said bolt between said nut and said last-referred-to por-' tion, said shoulder during the tightening oi said nut being drawn against said last named portion and said washer becoming tensioned.

7. Point switch mechanismcomprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swing able therein, a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through said spaced-apart portions and loosely through said heel-portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spaced apart portions, said nut being located at the opposite side of said last-referred-to portion, said bolt at its opposite end engaging the other of said spaced-apart portions, and a spring washer on said bolt between said nut and the one of said spaced-apart portions adjacent thereto, said shoulder during the tightening of said nut being drawn against said last-named portion and said washer becoming tensioned.

8. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through said spaced-apart portions and loosely through said heel-pertion, said bolt havlng a nxed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spacedapart portions, said nut being located at the opposite side of said la. t-referred-toportion, said bolt at its opposite end engaging the other of sald spaced-apart portions, and a spring washer on said bolt between said nut and the one of said spaced-apart portions adjacent thereto, said shoulder during the tlghtening of said nut being drawn against said last-named portion and said washer becoming tensionea, one of said spaced-apart portions being sprung toward the other thereof in tightening said nut.

9. Point swltch mechanism comprising rails spaced apart one of wh1ch 1s a main rail and the other a switch rail, a filler-block between said rails, a bar at a side of one of said rails and projecting beyond its end and forming, with said block, a recess, means securing said rails, block and bar together, a point rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and extending loosely through saidheel portion and having a shoulder fixed thereon and between which and said nut said filler-block and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyondwhich said bar projects extend and are clamped.

10. Point switch mechanism comprising rails spaced apart one of which is a main rail and the other a switch rail, a fillerblock between said rails, a bar at a sideof one of said rails and projecting beyond its end and forming, with said block, a recess, means'securing said rails, block and bar together, a-point rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolthaving a nut at one endand extending throughthe projecting end of said bar, block, and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyond which said bar projects and loosely through said heel portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at the side of said block facing said bar, said nut being located at the side of said last-referred to rail opposite that along which said block extends and when tightened drawing said shoulder against said block.

11. Point switch mechanism comprising rails spaced apart oneof which .isa main rail and the other a switch rail, a fillerblock between said rails, a bar at a side of one of said rails and projectingbeyond its end and forming, with said block, a recess, means securing said rails, block and bar together, a point rail extending at its heel pertion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through the projecting end of said bar, block and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyond which said bar projects and loosely through said heel portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at the side of said block facing said bar, said nut being located at the side of said last-referred-to rail opposite that along which said block extends and when tightened drawing said shoulder against said block, said bolt at its opposite end engaging the projecting end portion of said bar.

12. Point switch mechanism comprising rails spaced apart one of which is a main portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having nuts at its opposite ends and extending through said spaced apart portions and loosely through said heel portion, said bolt having fixed shoulders between said nuts, said filler-block and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyond which said bar projects being clamped between one of said nuts and one of said shoulders, the other of said shoulders opposite sides of said bar. I

13. Point switch mechanism comprising and the other of said nuts extending at rails spaced apart one of which is a main rail and the other a switch rail, a fillerblock between said rails, a bar at a side of one of said rails and projecting beyond its end and forming, with said block, a recess,

, means securing said rails, block and bar together, a point rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through the projecting end of said bar, block and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyond which said bar'projects and loosely through said heel portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at the side of said block facing said bar, said nut being located at the side of said last-referred-to rail opposite that along which said block extends and when tightened drawing said shoulder against said block, said bolt at its opposite end engaging the projecting end portion of said bar and in the adjusting of saidnut to set position springing said projecting end portion of said bar toward said filler-block.

14. Point switch mechanism comprising rails spaced apart one of which is a main rail and the other a switch rail, a filler-block between said rails, a bar at a side-of one of said rails and projecting beyond its end and forming, with said block, a recess, means securing said rails, block and bar together,

a point rail extending at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, a bolt having a nutat one end and extending through the projecting end of said bar,

block and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyond which said bar projects and loosely through said heel portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at the side of said block facing said bar, said bolt having a part which laps the side of said last-referred-to rail opposite that along which said block extends, and a spring washer on said bolt between said nut and said last-referred-to rail, said shoulder during the tightening of said nut being drawn against said block and said washer becoming tensioned.

15. Point switch mechanism comprising rails spaced apart one of which is a main rail and the other a switch rail, a filler-block between said rails, a bar at a side of one of said rails and projecting beyond its end and forming, with said block, arecess, means securing said rails, block and bar together,

a point rail extending at its heel portion 'into said recess and swingable therein, a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through the projecting end of'said bar, block and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyond which said bar projects and loosely through said heel'portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at the side of said block facing said bar, said nut being located at the side of said last referred-to rail opposite that along which said block extends and said bolt at its opposite end engaging the projecting end of said bar, and a spring washer on said bolt be tween said nut and said last-referred-to rail, said shoulder during the tightening of said nut being drawn against said block and said washer becoming tensioned.

16. Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced apart por tions forming a recess, a point-rail extend-, ing at its heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and extending through said spaced-apart portions and loosely through said heel-portion, said bolt atthe portion securing said rails, block and bar'together,

a point rail extending at its'heel portion into said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end extending through the projecting end of said bar, block,

and the one of said rails other than the one thereof beyond which said bar projects and loosely through said heel portion, said bolt at the portion thereof which extends through said heel-portionv being of enlarged cross-sectional area and presenting a shoulder located at the side ofsaid block facing said bar, said nut being located at the side of said last-referred-to rail opposite that along which said block extends and when tightened drawing said shoulder against said block. v

18. Point switch-mechanism comprising rails spaced apart one of which ,is a main.

rail and the. other a switch rail, a filler-block between said rails, a bar. at a side of one of 7 said rails and projecting beyond its end and forming, with said block, a recess, means curing sai ra ls, blo k and ba t ge h r, a, point. ra lx end g at its e p o nto aidrecess and w nga re nd a bo t aving n ts a i s oppo it n s n xtending through said spaced apart portions and 'looselythrough said heel lportion, said bolt at the portion thereof Whi extends through said heel portionbeing of enlarged cross cti al, area ndpr senbine d shoulders,

oi t switch mech i m c mp sing structure pr n ng spa e apa pq ions forming a-recess, a point-ra l extending at 1ts'heel'por i0a1nto ai cess and swing:

-' able therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end andia head at its opposite end and extending'thne gh said spaced-ap t port-ions and loosely through said-heel-portion, said bolt! having a fixed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spaced-apart portions,vsaidjnut being located at the opposite of; said last-referredeto portion and when tighteneddrawing-said shoulder into e gagement with sa d lastrreferred-to pe tiomfthe head of said boltengaging the otherofy-said spacedfapart portions.

EdnPomt switch mechanism comprising a stnucture presenting spaced-apart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at 'itsheelportioninto said recess and swing:

able: therein, and a bolt having a nut at one end and ahead at its opposite end and ex.- tending throughisaid spaced-apart portions; and. loosely throughsaid heel-portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located atone side of one of said spacedapart portions, said nut being locatedat the opposite side; of, said.llast-referredsto portion and when tightened drawing said shoulder into engagement withisaid last-referred-to portion, the head of said bolt engaging the other ofzsaid spaced-apartportionsand in the adjustingo'f said nut to set position springing one of said spaced-apart portions toward the other. thereofl 21".; Point switch mechanism comprising a structure presenting spaced-apart portions forming a recess, a point-rail extending at itsyheellportioninto said recess and swingable therein, a bolt having a nut at one end and a headattits opposite end and extendingthrough said spaced-apart portions and loosely through said heel-portion, saidvbolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at one side of one of said spaced-apart portions,

said not being located at the opposite side of said last-referred-to portion,the head of the bolt engaging the oth erkof said spacedapart portions, and a spring washer on said a point rail extending at its heel portion into a said recess and swingable therein, and a bolt hav ng a nut at one end and a head at its oppos te end and extend ng through theprojecting end of said bar, blocl; and the one of said rails other than the one. thereof beyond which said bar: projects and loosely througl i said heel portion, said bolt having a fixed shoulder thereon located at the side of said block facing saidbar, said nut being rail opposite that along which said block extends and when tightened drawing said shoulder against said block, the head of id b l n g n he Pr je ti e P tion of said bar.

AUGUST ENSTBQM;

located at the side of saidlast-referred-to- 

